From ‘joy-giver’ to antidote: Cannabis consumption in India

We see several illustrations of the preparation of cannabis in Indian miniature paintings, including images of Shiva and Parvati preparing bhang.

The five kingdoms of plants, having soma as their chief, we address: the darbha, hemp, barley, saha—let them free us from distress.” This quote from the Atharva-Veda (1200-900 BCE) reveals the long history of the belief in the potent abilities of plants like cannabis in relieving discomfort and illness.